U.S. Forces in Yemen

U.S. forces conducted the first known drone strike in Yemen in 2002, and have conducted periodic strikes against Al-Qaeda since 2009. In late 2023, Houthi militants began attacking shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinian militants in Gaza. In response, US-led forces began a campaign against the Houthis, with an escalation March-May 2025.

Airwars has documented all allegations of civilian harm from U.S. strikes in Yemen since 2009, and has produced a number of reports and investigations into the allegations of harm.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

443 – 642

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S. Forces actions in Yemen for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S. Forces. These originate from 152 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
424
named victims

U.S. Forces estimate of civilian deaths

13

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen, originating from 3 separate incidents of civilian harm.

2
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
539 – 824
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
152 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
443 – 642
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
97 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
57 – 130
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
25 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S. Forces in Yemen

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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444 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr033

Location

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that, at dawn on March 4th 2017, one or more US strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Said district, Shabwa governorate.  Some reports indicated that the strikes killed or wounded AQAP members. According to several social media sources, a US drone strike targeted a car carrying suspected AQAP militants in the…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr034-C

Location

الرحبة, Al Rahba near Moujan village, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants travelling on a motorbike in the outskirts of Ahwar, Abyan governorate, on the evening of March 4th 2017. While there were no known initial reports of civilian harm, the Yemeni human rights group Mwatana later said that two civilian honey traders were…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4–5 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr035-C

Location

جعار, Ja'ar, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in or near Ja'ar, in the Sama'a area of Bayda governorate, overnight from March 4th to March 5th. One source reported a single militant casualty, and another reported that "civilians including a child" were killed as the result of overnight strikes in Bayda governorate, of…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4–5 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr036

Location

وادي يشبم, Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa, Yemen
Several social media sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Wadi Yashbum, Saeed district of Shabwa, overnight from March 4th to March 5th.  There were no known reports of civilian harm. One Twitter source, writing at 2am, suggested that eight airstrikes took place in the area. The Yashbum Valley area was subject…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4–5 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr037

Location

يكلا, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Yakl in the Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, overnight from March 4th to March 5th. One source reported that "civilians including a child" were killed during nighttime US strikes in Bayda governorate, of which this strike was one. It was unclear which specific strike(s)…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr032

Location

الغيل‎, Al Ghayil, Al Bayda, Yemen
According to a report by The Intercept, US helicopter gunships fired on the village of Al Ghayil, in the Yakla area of Al Bayda governorate, on the night of March 3rd 2017, damaging "at least six houses". There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Late on March 3rd, one local language social media…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident